The Eleventh Day of competitions in the London Olympics yesterday saw Indian athletes putting up below par performances in the track and field events. In Men's hockey, the Indian team completed their league engagements without a point after suffering their fifth consecutive defeat.
At the Olympic Stadium, India's top discus thrower Vikas Gowda finished at a disappointing eighth position in the men's discus throw event. The 29-year old Gowda, who had qualified for the final round with a throw of 65.20 metres, could not even cross 65 metres mark when it mattered most.
The United States-based Gowda's attempt of 64.79 metres turned out to be his best throw. He did not reach anywhere near his personal best of 66.28 metres.
In Men's Triple Jump, Renjith Maheshwary crashed out after fouling all three attempts in the qualification round. Maheshwary failed to produce a single legal jump and was eliminated without a mark against his name. The 26-year-old athlete, whose personal best is 17.07 metres, ended his campaign in a most unceremonious way.
In Hockey, India ended their Olympic Games campaign with an ignominious all-loss record, their worst in the history of the mega event, after they were drubbed 3-0 by lowly Belgium in their last pool match.
They muffed numerous scoring chances to finish at the bottom of Pool B after their fifth defeat on the trot. The eight-time Olympic gold medallists finished their pool matches without a single point. This is the first time India had failed to gain even one point.
India will now meet South Africa in the play-off for the 11th and 12th positions.
India has now slumped below their lowest previous Olympic finish of eighth in Atlanta in 1996. India had not qualified for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
In today's events, India's M.C. Mary Kom will meet Nicola Adams of Great Britain in the semi-finals of women's Flyweight (51kg) Boxing event.
In Men's section, L. Devendro Singh will face Paddy Barnes of Ireland in the quarter-finals of the Light Flyweight (49 kg.) division.
In track and field, Tintu Luka will figure in the Women's 800 metres Round One.
